Old wood stoves are dusty and smoky. Wood stoves manufactured before 1990 are innefficient. They waste waste firewood, pollute the air in your neighborhood and create dust inside your home. This is especially harmful for the more than 20 million people (including 6 million children) with asthma in the U.S.
Small particles and pollutants in wood smoke are unhealthy for you and your family. Even occasional exposure to wood smoke can create problems such as watery eyes, stuffy noses, and chest tightness. Everyone may experience one or more of these symptoms, but children and older adults, and people with asthma or heart disease, are especially vulnerable. Particles can trigger asthma and have been linked to heart attacks in people with heart disease.
The EPA recommends replacing old wood stoves with modern heating appliances. The benefits of a new stove are as follows; 50% more efficient than older models, Use less fuel for the same amount of heat. Increase safety: New stoves decrease creosote buildup in your chimney, reduces risk of a home fire. Clean up the neighborhood: Decrease in pollution by 70%, Inproves the community air. Protect your health: Decreases harmful particles inside your home by 70%, Reduces your exposure to toxic pollution linked to serious health problems.
SO THE QUESTION IS:
DO I NEED TO CHANGEOUT MY WOODSTOVE?
Here is a checklist for your woodstove:
- We smell smoke in the house.
- We notice a lot of smoke coming from the chimney.
- We see more dust around the house when we use the wood stove.
- Our family experinces more watery eyes and stuffy noses after we use the wood stove.
- We are constantly feeding the stove with wood.
If you have checked any of these items, cosider replacing your old wood stove.
